Beverage container with integrated straw

ABSTRACT

A beverage container is provided which comprising a body having proximal and distal ends, and a cap or tab for sealing the container. The container also includes a straw having a top section and a bottom section movable between a first, locked position in which the straw is locked entirely within the container and the container is sealed, and a second, open position in which the straw extends from the container. A leading-maintaining element may be provided for maintaining the straw in said locked position while the container is sealed, and releasing the straw from said locked position while the container is open, and further for leading the straw within the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority from Israeli Patent ApplicationNo. 163603 filed Aug. 18, 2004, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage containers and moreparticularly, the invention relates to straw integration with a beveragecontainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every person who ever bought a bottle or a can with some kind ofbeverage, has felt a need for using a straw. Straws are well knowndevices and are well adapted to allow a person to drink a beverage froma can, bottle or any other beverage container. Straws are usuallyhollowed and cylindrical. In most cases the straws are manufactured froma plastic or other flexible material in order that a user will be ableto change its form according to his need.

Generally, the use of a straw makes the drinking process morecomfortable and convenient. However, the consumer must obtain a strawseparately from the bottle, can or any other beverage container sincethe beverage container is not integrated with the straw during themanufacturing process.

In addition, usually, a consumer may not purchase only a single strawbut a packet of straws. Moreover, the salesperson may not have a strawin his inventory, and therefore he will not be able to provide it to hisconsumer.

When a consumer opens a bottle, can or other container and does not usea straw, he must place his mouth directly in contact with the openportion of said container. This is not sanitary. Moreover, the use ofthe straw protects consumers' teeth since it prevents the beverage fromcoming into direct contact with the teeth of the consumer.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is a need for a combination or incorporation of a strawwith a beverage container. The present invention fulfills this need andprovides further related advantages, presenting a self-contained strawthat is stored within the bottle, can or other beverage container untiluse, and readily presents itself to the user upon opening of a tab orcap.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pop-up straw whichcan be used with cans, bottles and any other beverage containers.

It is still another object of the present invention to eliminate theneed for buying or obtaining a straw separately from the beveragecontainer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide abeverage container integrated with a straw during the manufacturingprocess.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aconsumer with the convenience of readily having a straw within a bottleor can and eliminating the need of inserting the straw inside thecontainer such as chocolate milk bag for example.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aconsumer with a straw integrated inside a beverage container which canbe opened and sealed an unlimited number of times.

It is still a further object of the present invention to improve hygieneby providing a straw with a bottle, can or other beverage container.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide asanitary method for drinking beverage from a bottle, can or othercontainer.

It is still a further object of the present invention to protect theconsumers' teeth since the use of the straw prevents the beverage fromcoming into direct contact with the front teeth of the consumer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide abeverage container with pop-up straw that is economical in cost formanufacturing.

It is still a further object of the present invention to reduce paperand plastic pollution associated with the packaging of individuallywrapped straws.

Also, it is a further object of the present invention to provide abeverage container with pop-up straw that is simple and easy to use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to straw incorporation with a beveragecontainer.

The beverage container may comprise: (a) a body having proximal anddistal ends; (b) a cap or tab for sealing said container; (c) a strawhaving a top section and a bottom section, movable between a first,locked position in which the straw is locked entirely within thecontainer and the container is sealed, and a second, open position inwhich the straw extends from the container; and (d) aleading-maintaining element for maintaining the straw in said lockedposition while the container is sealed, and releasing the straw fromsaid locked position while the container is open, and further forleading the straw within the container.

Preferably, the bottom section of the straw is situated close to thedistal end of the container body.

Preferably, the straw with the leading-maintaining element may beremoved from the beverage container.

Preferably, the leading-maintaining element is a funnel-like elementhaving upper and lower sections.

Preferably, the upper section of the funnel-like element comprises aplurality of slots.

Preferably, the straw has a circular frame situated at straw bottomsection.

Preferably, the funnel-like element has a circular frame.

Preferably, the funnel-like element has at least two teeth attached tothe lower section of said funnel-like element.

Preferably, the funnel-like element has at least two legs at its lowersection.

Preferably, the elastic element is situated close to the distal end ofthe container body.

Preferably, the leading-maintaining element together with the straw andthe elastic element may be removed from the beverage container.

Preferably, the leading-maintaining element is a cylindrical caddyhaving a top edge and a bottom surface with a slot for fitting thestraw.

Preferably, the slot in the cylindrical caddy for fitting the straw mayhave a diameter that is greater or equal to the diameter of the straw.

Preferably, the cylindrical caddy has plurality of slots between its topedge and bottom surface.

Preferably, the top edge of the cylindrical caddy has at least two teethfor holding said caddy on the container proximal end.

Preferably, the top edge of the cylindrical caddy has a circularextension.

Preferably, the straw has an intermediate extendable section.

Preferably, the intermediate extendable section of the straw has aplurality of inwardly oriented pleats.

Preferably, the straw does not have to pop up from the container afterthe seal is removed, but can be pulled out of said container while theintermediate extendable section of said straw is extended.

Optionally, the funnel-like element may be slanted relative to thecontainer body and the lower section of said funnel-like element may belocated near the edge of the container, formed by intersection of distalend of the container body and each wall of said container's body.

Optionally, the intermediate extendable section of the straw provides abend in said straw for orthogonally positioning straw top sectionrelative to straw bottom section.

Optionally, the container comprises an additional opening.

Optionally, the additional opening may be sealed by means of cap or tab.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon reading the following detaileddescription of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunctionwith the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective cross-sectional view according to oneembodiment of the present invention illustrating a sealed can with anintegrated straw;

FIG. 1B is a perspective cross-sectional view according to oneembodiment of the present invention illustrating the can shown in FIG.1A, wherein it has been opened and the straw has popped up;

FIG. 1C is a perspective illustration of a funnel-like element;

FIG. 1D is a perspective illustration of the straw;

FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view according to another embodimentof the present invention illustrating a sealed bottle with an integratedstraw;

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view according to another embodimentof the present invention illustrating the bottle shown in FIG. 2A,wherein it has been opened and the straw has popped up;

FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of a caddy according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E are perspective illustrations of the caddy accordingto different variants;

FIG. 2F is a perspective illustration of the straw according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2G is a perspective illustration of the caddy according to stillanother variant of the present invention; and

FIG. 2H is a side cross-sectional view according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention illustrating a bottle with anadditional opening.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective cross-sectional view according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention illustrating a sealed can having abody 200 with a proximal end 201 and a distal end 202, comprising anintegrated straw 110, having a top section 260 and a bottom section 280.Said sealed can also comprises a funnel-like element 250 having anexpanded upper section 230 and a lower section 240. The funnel-likeelement comprises a straw 110, an elastic element such as spring 130,two teeth 140 for holding said elastic element close to the distal end202 of the can and a circular frame 151. The upper section 230 of thefunnel-like element 250 also comprises plurality of slots 231 for airtransfer from outside to the body 200 of the can. The funnel-likeelement 250 may be slanted relative to the can body 200, and the lowersection 240 of the funnel-like element 250 may be located near the edgeof the container, formed by intersection of distal end 202 of the canbody and wall 203 or 204 of the body of the can. The straw is in contactwith the elastic element 130, for example by means of a circular frame150. While the can is sealed by means of conventional tab 220, theelastic element 130 is stretched, since the straw 110 pushes on it fromthe top. Moreover, until the tab 220 is opened the straw top section 260is located entirely inside the body 200. The straw 110 also may have anintermediate extendable section 270 with plurality of inwardly orientedpleats. This section 270 may be extended according to the consumer needas is desirable for his or her convenience. Also this section may beflexible allowing the user to bend the top section 260 of the straw 110positioning it orthogonally relative to straw's bottom section 280. Thefunnel-like element 250 together with the straw 110 and the elasticelement 130 may be removed from the container 200 if the user decidesnot to use the straw.

It should be noted that the present invention in all embodiments may beemployed for any beverage container such as can, bottle, beverage bag,carton etc. All components of the present invention may be manufacturedfrom plastic, ribbon, aluminum or any other materials which do not causecorrosion while in touch with liquid such as water. Moreover, allcomponents in all embodiments may not be separated from the containerdepending on manufacturing process.

FIG. 1B is a perspective cross-sectional view according to oneembodiment of the present invention illustrating the can shown in FIG.1A, wherein the can has been opened and the straw 110 has popped up. Itcan be seen that when a user opens the removable tab 220, the strawelevates by means of the extending of elastic element 130. Once the tab220 is opened, the absence of pressure on the top of the elastic elementcauses the elastic element to relax and push the straw 110 upward. Thetop section 260 of the straw 110 pops-up outside the can allowing theuser to drink the beverage from the can at his or her convenience. Thecircular frame 151, which is attached to the funnel-like element 250,prevents from the straw 110 and from the elastic element 130 to jumpoutside via the can opening 210 at the moment of the opening of tab 220.When the tab 220 is removed, the circular frame 151 comes in contactwith the circular frame 150, which is attached to the straw 110, andprevents from the straw to move upward to the can opening 210. Thelength of the elastic element 130 and its expansion depends on thelength desired for the straw 110 to protrude outside the container afterthe seal is opened. In order for the straw 110 to protrude more, thelength of the elastic element 130 may be longer and the circular frame151 of the funnel-like element 250 may be situated closer towards theopening 210.

FIG. 1C is a perspective illustration of the funnel-like element. Thefunnel-like element 250 has an expanded essentially conical top section230 and a bottom section 240. Also a couple of teeth 140 are locatednear the bottom section of the funnel-like element for maintaining thestraw with the elastic element such as spring as described in FIG. 1Aand FIG. 1B. The bottom section 240 also comprises at least a couple oflegs 141. The funnel-like element 250 stands on these legs 141 whilelocated inside the beverage can. The funnel-like element furthercomprises the circular frame 151.

It should be noted that such arrangement can be applied with someadaptation to any type of beverage container, such as bottle, beveragebag, carton etc.

FIG. 1D is a perspective illustration of the straw, having a top section260 and a bottom section 280. The straw may further comprise anintermediate extendable section 270. The bottom section 280 of the straw110 comprises the circular frame 150.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A; it is a side cross-sectional viewaccording to another embodiment of the present invention illustrating asealed bottle having a body 300 with a proximal end 301 and a distal end302, comprising an integrated straw 310 having a top section 390, anintermediate extendable section 320 with plurality of inwardly orientedpleats, and a bottom section 395. The bottle is sealed by means of a cap350. The bottle also comprises a cylindrical caddy 330 having a top edge341 with at least two teeth 340 for holding the caddy at the bottle'sproximal end 301, and a bottom surface 342 with a slot 370 for fittingthe straw 310. The caddy 330 has a plurality of slots 343 for airtransfer, which are located between the top edge 341 and the bottomsurface 342. The caddy 330 provides a counter force while pushing thestraw 310 inside the container 300 in order to seal it. The bottomsection 395 of the straw 310 must be placed close to the distal end 302of the bottle body 300 in order to allow the user to sip entire thebeverage filling bottle body. The caddy 330 together with the straw 310may be removed from the container 300 if the user decides not to use thestraw.

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view according to another embodimentof the present invention illustrating the bottle shown in FIG. 2A,wherein the cap 350 has been opened and the top section 390 of the straw310 has popped up. The extendable section 320 with the plurality ofinwardly oriented pleats behaves like an elastic element and therefore,in the absence of counter force from the sealed cap 350 at the top ofthe straw 310, this section 320 extends and allows the user to drinkfrom the bottle by means of the straw 310.

FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the cylindrical caddy having atop edge 341 and a bottom surface 342 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The caddy 330 is situated at the top of the bottle body 300,as illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, by means of at least two teeth340 and has a slot 370 at it bottom surface 342 for fitting the straw310. The caddy 330 comprises plurality of slots 343 for air transfer,which are located between the top edge 341 and the bottom surface 342.

FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E are perspective illustrations of the cylindricalcaddy 330 according to two different variants of the invention. In FIG.2D at least two teeth 340 exist at the top edge 341 of the caddy 330. InFIG. 2E the caddy 330 has a circular extension 380 at its top edge 341for attachment of the caddy to the proximal end 301 of the bottle body300.

FIG. 2F is a perspective illustration of the straw 310 according to anembodiment of the invention. The straw 310 has an intermediateextendable section 320 with a plurality of inwardly oriented pleats forthe extension of the straw at the time when the sealing cap 350 is open.

FIG. 2G is a perspective illustration of the cylindrical caddy 330according to still another variant of the invention comprising pluralityof slots 343 between the top edge 341 and the bottom surface 342. Thecylindrical caddy 330 maintains the straw 310, and the intermediateextendable section 320 of the straw, having plurality of inwardlyoriented pleats, is located close to the bottom surface 342 of the caddy330.

FIG. 2H is a side cross-sectional view according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention illustrating a bottle 400 with anadditional opening 410. This embodiment may comprise, for example, thefunnel-like element with the straw and with the elastic element asdescribed in FIG. 1A.

Further it should be noted that all components in all embodiments may bemanufactured and assembled at the factory and shipped to thedistribution points later. Also in all embodiments the top section ofthe straw does not have to pop up from the container after the seal istaken off, but it can be pulled out from the container while theextendable section of the straw is extended.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way ofillustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried intopractice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and withthe use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are withinthe scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

1. A beverage container comprising: a. body having proximal and distalends; b. an element which is at least one of a cap or tab for sealingthe container; c. a straw having a top section and a bottom section, andmovable between (i) a first locked position in which the straw is lockedentirely within the container and the container is sealed, and (ii) asecond open position in which the straw extends from the container; andd. a leading-maintaining element for maintaining the straw in the lockedposition while the container is sealed, and releasing the straw from thelocked position while the container is open, wherein the leadingmaintaining element is provided so as to lead the straw within thecontainer.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the bottomsection of the straw is situated close to the distal end of thecontainer body.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the strawwith the leading-maintaining element is removable from the beveragecontainer.
 4. The container according to claim 1, wherein theleading-maintaining element is a funnel-like element having upper andlower sections.
 5. The container according to claim 4, wherein thefunnel-like element is capable of being slanted relative to thecontainer body, and wherein the lower section of the funnel-like elementis capable of being located near the edge of the container, formed byintersection of distal end of the container body and each wall of thecontainer body.
 6. The container according to claim 4, wherein the uppersection of the funnel-like element comprises a plurality of slots. 7.The container according to claim 1, wherein the straw has a circularframe situated at a straw bottom section.
 8. The container according toclaim 4, wherein the funnel-like element has a circular frame.
 9. Thecontainer according to claim 8, wherein the funnel-like element has atleast two teeth attached to the lower section of the funnel-likeelement.
 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein an elasticelement is locked between the circular frame of the straw and at leasttwo teeth of the funnel-like element.
 11. The container according toclaim 4, wherein the funnel-like element has at least two legs at alower section thereof.
 12. The container according to claim 10, whereinthe elastic element is situated in a proximity of the distal end of thecontainer body.
 13. The container according to claim 10, wherein theleading-maintaining element, the straw and the elastic element areremovable from the beverage container.
 14. The container according toclaim 1, wherein the leading-maintaining element is a cylindrical caddyhaving a top edge and a bottom surface with a slot for fitting thestraw.
 15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the slot in thecylindrical caddy for fitting the straw is capable of having thediameter that is greater or equal to a diameter of the straw.
 16. Thecontainer according to claim 14, wherein the cylindrical caddy hasplurality of slots between a top edge and a bottom surface thereof. 17.The container according to claim 14, wherein the top edge of thecylindrical caddy has at least two teeth for maintaining the caddy onthe proximal end of the container.
 18. The container according to claim14, wherein the top edge of the cylindrical caddy has a circularextension.
 19. The container according to claim 1, wherein the straw hasan intermediate extendable section.
 20. The container according to claim19, wherein the intermediate extendable section of the straw has aplurality of inwardly oriented pleats.
 21. The container according toclaim 19, wherein the intermediate extendable section includes a bend inthe straw for orthogonally positioning a top section of the strawrelative to a bottom section of the straw.
 22. The container accordingto claim 19, wherein the straw is capable of being prevented fromautomatically extending from the container after the seal is removed,and is capable of being pulled out of the container while theintermediate extendable section of the straw is extended.
 23. Thecontainer according to claim 1, further comprising an additionalopening.
 24. The container according to claim 23, wherein the additionalopening is sealed by means of a cap or tab.